An impact wrench is the kind of tool you don’t really understand the value of until you need one in a bind. I’m hardly a professional mechanic, but I’ve done enough DIY bits and pieces on our cars over the years to know my way around the basics. The Porter-Cable PCE211 having more recently become my go-to in the garage.
Designed and manufactured by a renowned brand with more than 100 years’ experience, the PCE211 is simple yet hugely effective. Powerful, easy to use, and surprisingly versatile, it’s a pro-grade piece of kit at an entry-level price.
I’ve also been reliably informed that its usefulness goes far beyond the garage, but I’ve not personally tried it works as a drill, so no comments on that one.
In any case, Porter-Cable PCE211 is up for grabs at its lowest price to date and has earned rave reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. In this Porter-Cable PCE211 review, I’ll be detailing what it is about this compact powerhouse that makes it well worth checking out.
Features of Porter-Cable PCE211
As touched upon, this is a compact yet powerful impact wrench that delivers commercial-grade performance at a seriously rock-bottom price. The official size and weight specifications of the unit are as follows:
- Product Dimensions – 13 x 4 x 11 inches
- Item model number – PCE211
- Item Weight – 7.5 pounds
Built with one primary purpose in mind, the Porter-Cable PCE211 isn’t what you’d call bursting with complex features. Nevertheless, it has more than its fair share of benefits and selling points, which include the following among others:
1/2 Inches Hog Ring Anvil
This well-designed impact wrench features a 1/2inch hog ring anvil for easy socket changes, making it quick and easy to switch sizes in seconds.
7.5-amp Motor for Heavy-Duty Applications
The power and performance of the tool would easily rival a far more expensive pro-grade device, making it ideal for DIY jobs and heavy-duty applications alike.
450 Feet Pounds of Torque
Very impressive for such a low-cost tool, which has been designed to remove and install even the heaviest fasteners with ease.
2,200 RPM & 2,700 BPM
Porter-Cable PCE211 has a huge speed and consistently delivers reliable performance when tackling demanding jobs, thanks to its powerful combined RPM and BPM.
Forward/Reverse Rocker Switch
A simple control system that makes it safe and easy to use the Porter Cable PCE211in forwards or reverse mode at the touch of a button.
3 Year Limited Warranty
For total peace of mind, this high-quality, low-cost impact wrench ships with a full three-year limited warranty, along with a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee.
My Experience with Porter-Cable PCE211
It’s hard to say too much about a simple tool designed with one simple purpose in mind. However, the power and performance this thing delivers for the price go beyond all reasonable expectations. I’ve used it a bunch of times now to take all 24 lug nuts off our SUV and a further 20 off our smaller runaround.
Averaging around two- or a three-second max per nut, that’s about a minute to get the whole job done on one car. A minute is about how long it used to take me to prize a single set-fast lug nut off. This thing defines what effortlessness is all about – it literally does everything for you.
Some people have commented that the Porter-Cable PCE211 7.5 amp 1/2 inch Impact Wrench is a little on the heavy side, but I disagree. 7lbs or so is not too much to handle – especially when you consider the power of the motor. It’s also not the quietest impact wrench you’ll ever use, but also isn’t loud enough to leave you with earache after a fairly big job.
Importantly, the torque is delivered so efficiently that there’s little to no exertion on the wrists whatsoever. You need almost no strength to use this thing, which asks only a firm grip and a quick squeeze of the trigger to get the job done. If anything, the only downside is that it doesn’t come with a particularly generous array of accessories. But for a price like this, the main tool itself more than justifies the cost.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Superb power and performance
- Easy socket changes
- Comfortable to hold
- Effortless to use
- Exceptional value for money
Cons
- Some say it’s heavy (I disagree)
Final Thoughts
Some tools are overly complex just for the sake of it. Then you have tools like the Porter-Cable PCE211 Impact Wrench, which is the very essence of simplicity. Easy to use, comfortable to hold, and way more capable than you’d expect for the price, this thing has value for money written all over it.
I’ve heard reports it can even be used (to an extent) as a makeshift drill, but that’s beside the point. I’d confidently recommend this thing for DIY jobs in the garage and commercial applications alike. All the performance of a pro piece of hardware for a price that’s almost too good to be true.
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